5 Gut-Healthy Grapefruit Desserts That Crush Cravings

Low-calorie grapefruit makes a splash in these delicious, easy-to-make desserts.
Image Credit: sveta_zarzamora/iStock/GettyImages

Grapefruit crowds the produce aisle as the crisp air turns cold, and every year we look forward to its distinctive citrus flavor. Its standout combination of bitter, tart and sweet is just one of the many things we love about grapefruit. Its long list of health benefits is another.

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Citrusy grapefruit is low in calories and high in beneficial vitamins and nutrients: It's a rich source of vitamin C and contains some potassium, magnesium and dietary fiber, according to the USDA. Just one half of a grapefruit provides pectin fiber (for digestive regularity) and half your daily dose of vitamin C.

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Because grapefruit pairs well with yogurt, you can get a double dose of gut-friendly benefits in one tasty pairing. But why stop there when you can create an amazing dessert-worthy option? Try these simple yet decadent grapefruit desserts next time you're craving something sweet.

1. Granola and Red Grapefruit Brûlée

With grapefruit as the base, this low-calorie brûlée provides 3g of fiber!

Just reading about this grapefruit brûlée is making our mouths water. Using grapefruit as the base of this brûlée rather than heavy cream, this recipe provides 3 grams of fiber and a healthy dose of vitamin C.

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Caramelized coconut sugar encrusts this red beauty, providing just the right amount of sweetness. Topping it with granola and a dollop of Greek yogurt adds more digestive-friendly fiber and probiotics to this immune-boosting treat.

Get the Granola and Grapefruit Brûlée recipe and nutrition info here.

2. Grapefruit Smoothie Bowl

Grapefruit adds a punch of citrus to this festive fruity smoothie bowl.

A sweet, refreshing treat, this creamy smoothie is one you can count on for good health. Packed with fresh fruit including cherries, bananas and, of course, grapefruit, this bowl boasts plenty of antioxidant nutrients and dietary fiber.

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Plus, with cauliflower in the mix, the recipe offers even more gut-healthy potential. Diets rich in Brassica veggies such as cauliflower may alter gut bacteria in favor of probiotic potential, according to a September 2017 study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.

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Get the Grapefruit Smoothie Bowl recipe and nutrition info from Hummusapien.

3. Broiled Grapefruit

This elegant combo is made with just 2 simple ingredients.

This caramelized treat packs in plenty of vitamin C and dietary fiber thanks to the humble, juicy grapefruit. The recipe calls for less than 2 teaspoons of sugar per grapefruit half, meaning the dessert is fairly low in added sugars. You can enjoy this in its simplicity or top it off with a dollop of Greek yogurt for some added gut-healthy probiotic benefit.

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Get the Broiled Grapefruit recipe and nutrition info from Snacking in Sneakers.

4. Ruby Red Grapefruit Kefir Sherbet

This grapefruit sherbet is a refreshing and digestive-friendly treat

When you're in the mood for something tart and icy, consider this Ruby Red Kefir Sherbet. Adding kefir to the mix provides gut-healthy benefits of fermentation (think: probiotics) along with the antioxidant-rich citrus. Best of all, this recipe offers 7 grams of gut-healthy fiber per serving.

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Get the Ruby Red Grapefruit Kefir Sherbet recipe and nutrition info from Spicy RD Nutrition.

5. Citrus Mojito Pops

Get a delightful blend of orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime in this refreshing mojito pop.

This mojito-inspired popsicle includes a citrusy medley of grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime. That means you'll get a good supply of vitamin C, dietary fiber and even some pectin-derived benefits. Stevia and mint add to the sweetness and overall flavor of this delightfully refreshing pop.

Get the Mojito Pops recipe and nutrition info here.

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